A recent consumer poll reported 82% of respondents would be willing to pay more for sustainable packaging, which was up four points since 2022. Sustainable practices across the supply chain are becoming a must-have for some consumer brands.   Most ecommerce brands use light weight, plastic dunnage like air pockets or polybags to pack their products for shipping. There are many reasons that this is the preferred packing material. They are more cost-effective, easier to source at scale, keep products more secure in transit, and less air pockets are needed overall compared to other mate ..read more

Improving profit margins by reducing logistics expenses is essential for any successful business operation. However, controlling these costs becomes considerably challenging when it involves shipping products internationally, due to the complexities of customs, import duties, and taxes.  For brands intending to import merchandise into the United States, optimizing your ecommerce supply chain for cost savings is possible by staying informed about and compliant with the regulations of the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).  A notable regulation from the CBP that ecommerce business ..read more

Many ecommerce shippers are looking for ways to lower their overall shipping costs. One popular option, especially among small businesses and those looking to streamline their operations is flat-rate shipping.  Many major carriers offer a flat-rate option, but not all. It’s important to weigh your product features and customer needs before switching shipping services.    Here is a detailed overview of FedEx One Rate, USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate, and UPS Simple Rate.    What is Flat-rate Shipping?   Most carriers offer a flat-rate shipping service in which th ..read more

Customs clearance is an important aspect of international shipping. All shipments moving through customs need to be properly documented and labeled, one of the most important factors is the product’s declared value. This is the what the shipper determines the goods are worth.   Declared value is important because it is used to calculate taxes and duties. All shipments will go through customs valuation when being imported, this is the process that customs takes to determine the value of the goods, thus the import fees that will be applied. Declared value is an important part of custom ..read more

As we enter a new year, it’s a time that brands take stock and strategize for the year ahead. No ecommerce strategy would be complete without a thorough analysis of their freight spend and carrier relationships.   To understand the current state of domestic direct-to-consumer shipping, we have to look at the past few years. The world of direct-to-consumer shipping has changed so dramatically in such a short period of time. Luckily for ecommerce shippers the 2024 outlook is positive in their favor, as it appears the shipping industry is shifting back to a shipper’s market.   ..read more

There are many variables that shippers need to consider when selling their products abroad. Customs clearance requires detailed international shipping documentation, unless you want surprise fees, delayed products, and unhappy customers.    Ecommerce brands need to determine the method of shipping they’ll use to ship products across country lines. As part of this decision, it’s important to weigh the freight carrier options and how they will affect your customs clearance experience.   While using the postal service is often cheaper and simpler, it can mean longer wait ..read more

High-growth ecommerce businesses may spend up to 70% of their budget on shipping and transportation. When shipping direct-to-consumer, there are many variables that factor into overall freight cost—cross-referencing each aspect alone can be a misleading way of optimizing your transportation spend.   There can be aspects of your shipping mix or selected services that need to be consolidated or negotiated for a reduction in cost. The only way to know where you may be overspending on freight costs is to conduct a thorough analysis of your shipping invoice.   Brands should conduct a ..read more

One of the most difficult aspects of international shipping is navigating the changes in import laws and regulations due to international trade agreements. Shifts in political power can make a big difference in import fees, customs rules, prohibited goods, and regulations that your business needs to follow.   For US brands shipping into Canada, there are many nuances to ensure smooth customs clearance. For example, labeling products is important for selling goods in some Canadian regions, and PST (provincial state tax) is key to understand which border it’s best to ship products though ..read more

You’ve done a good job of growing your brand through a domestic sales channel, but now you are thinking about shipping to other parts of the world. The US only accounts for 4.1% of the world population, making it a natural step to expand to other countries after any initial domestic success.   Where many brands get tripped up when expanding their sales channels, one of the most important aspects is choosing the regions that will be a good fit for their product and shipping needs. By tapping into the right international markets, you can easily grow your brand by 35% – 40%.   ..read more

If you plan to ship any products that contain hazardous materials, also known as dangerous goods (DG), you as the shipper are responsible for properly classifying and packaging your products in accordance with national regulations.  The steps below are generalized outline and may not list out all the requirements for your specific items. If you work with a shipping expert or outsource to a 3PL or logistics provider, work with them about any further actions you’ll need to take to ship hazardous materials safely.   For assistance with understanding hazmat transportation regulation ..read more